Buying a film camera today can feel like stepping into a maze—endless listings, unpredictable sellers, and gear that doesn’t always live up to its description. To help cut through the noise, we teamed up with KEH partner Jakob Lilja-Ruiz, better known as @portra_papi, who has years of hands-on experience navigating the world of secondhand film cameras. In this guide, Jakob shares the cameras he relies on, where he shops, and the key things to look out for when buying used film gear.

What I Use, Where I Shop, and What to Look Out For

Most of my frequent questions on social media are: “What camera do you use?” & “Where do I buy a used film gear?”

With the rising cost of photography gear, it’s no surprise people are turning to secondhand options. I’ve been there too—browsing eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, hunting for a deal that doesn’t break the bank.

But let me tell you, not all that glitters is gold.

The Risks of Buying Used Cameras

In my early days, I jumped on a few deals that seemed too good to be true. Almost every time, I ended up with a broken or rusted camera. Saving up for big upgrades just to receive faulty gear is frustrating and discouraging.

Here’s the thing:You can’t rely on random sellers. No matter how convincing the listing is, you’re taking a gamble if you can’t verify the gear’s condition in person. When possible, I always recommend meeting locally to inspect the camera or sticking with trusted, highly rated sellers—especially from Japan, where quality standards tend to be higher.

Key Things to Check Before Buying

If you’re going to take the leap into buying used film cameras, you need to know what to look for. Here are three of the most important things I always inspect:

• Haze: This can build up inside the lens and affect image clarity.
• Light seals: These wear out over time and can let light leak into your camera, ruining photos.
• Fungus: A common issue in older lenses, especially if stored in humid environments.

Also, keep an eye out for major dents, cracks, or signs of impact. Physical damage might mean the camera has been dropped, which can misalign internal components. This is particularly problematic with rangefinder cameras, where even a slight misalignment can throw off your focus and make your photos appear soft or out of focus.

My Go-To: KEH Camera

One platform that completely changed the way I buy used gear is KEH Camera. Their site updates regularly with fresh listings, and I’ve found some incredible deals there. What sets them apart is their transparent grading system. You know exactly what condition the camera is in, and if something does go wrong, their support team is quick and responsive.

I bought a Mamiya 7 through KEH that had some dark slide issues. Their repair team tackled it right away and got me back up and shooting in no time. Having a company I can rely on makes a huge difference—especially when working with aging gear that will inevitably need some care over time.

What Camera Should You Choose?

I get this question almost as often as I get asked where to buy gear.

Honestly, it depends on your stage in your photography journey. Are you trying to train your eye and understand light better? Then, you might want a fully manual camera that forces you to slow down and make creative decisions. Or maybe you’re more interested in a compact point-and-shoot that’s perfect for documenting everyday moments with friends and family.

Recommended 35mm SLRs

If you’re looking to get into SLRs, I highly recommend:

Canon AE-1

A staple 35mm SLR with reliable performance and plenty of lens options. Go with the Program model if you prefer the ease of auto exposure.

Nikon F Series

Built for durability and precision, the F2 and F3 are professional-grade SLRs with legendary optics. Choose based on your budget, and you’ll have a camera that lasts a lifetime.

Canon uses a needle-style meter, while Nikon offers exposure dots—somewhat similar to Leica’s readouts. Both systems have amazing glass available, and you really can’t go wrong with either choice.

Great Compact Point-and-Shoots

If you’re more into the automatic, take-anywhere kind of camera, check out:

• Olympus Mju
• Yashica T3 or T4
• Minolta TC-1
• Nikon 35Ti
• Contax T2 (just be careful with the body—they’re delicate)

These cameras are small, fast, and intuitive. You can hand one to a friend and still get great shots. While some have their quirks, their built-in flash and autofocus will handle most situations with ease.

Final Thoughts

Buying used film gear is an adventure. It can save you money, open the door to legendary cameras, and give you access to tools that make photography fun again. But it also comes with risks if you don’t know what to look for or where to shop.

KEH has streamlined my process and the regularly updated store has me constantly looking for great deals.